25 March, 2009Metalworkers in Japan are pushing back against employer attempts to pass the cost of the global financial crisis on to workers.
TOKYO, JAPAN: Members of IMF affiliate, the Japan Council of Metalworker Unions (IMF-JC) successfully maintained pay levels for workers during their recent 2009 Spring Offensive employer negotiations.
Unions were also able to secure recognition of the increasing cost of living and ensure it will be considered in future negotiations.
However many employers are refusing to guarantee pay rises and bonuses as they scale back production or cut jobs.
"The will and vitality of workers is the key to breaking through the current crisis and opening better prospects for the future," said IMF-JC President Koichiro Nishihara in a statement.
"We demanded recognition of the hard work of labor union members and consideration for their daily lives.
"The results [of the Spring Offensive]can be considered the products of down-to-the-wire negotiations."
Thousands rallied in Tokyo during the negotiations to demand companies increase salaries to stimulate recovery from the global financial crisis.
After gathering in a central Tokyo park, workers marched through the capital with banners reading "Pay rise is the strongest economic stimulus" and "Never let workers get fired!".